Tag Archives: gold

The “Gold” in Golden Ticket

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A man was wearing a new gold watch he received as a birthday present. While visiting a busy park, he bumped into another person. Only a few seconds passed before he noticed that his watch was missing. He turned to see the pickpocket running away. As loud as he could, he yelled, “AU, that is not your watch”

Hope you enjoyed the chemistry pun!

On a serious note, why is gold so valuable?

When you read the stories of the Bible and gold is mentioned, it means that the stuff made of gold is important. It has high quality. Perhaps it is the best that it can be.

It also represents royalty. Kings and queens wear gold, not commoners.

Jesus was at the wedding in Cana because he had an invite. His ministry, and by extension his power, was not known yet.

But we know more of Jesus because of what our Bibles tell us. Jesus is also the King of Kings. That means he gets to wear a crown.

A crown made of gold. The best kind of crown there is.

Another name for Jesus is Messiah. This mean that he is ‘the anointed one’, the Christ, the Savior.

When you invite the Messiah, he brings meaning into your life.

The ordinary wedding in Cana turned into a magnificent display of the power of God.

Jesus, the Messiah, brought purpose and meaning to that place.

He can do the same for you and I.

If you have read any of my blogs, you know that I typically will use alliteration. I think it helps to remember stuff. So, with that thought in mind, here is a preview of the next two posts:

The Messiah can bring meaning through miracles.

The Messiah can use the mundane to work miracles.

But for now, just know that inviting Jesus is the best idea. He is worth more than gold. There is always value when Jesus shows up.

 

Gold!!!

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Guy walks into a jewelry store and proceeds to steal a gold watch. As he is running away, the store owners yells at him. “AU, that’s not your watch!”

gold watch

If you didn’t get that joke, go back to the periodic table of elements. Find number 79. It should make itself clear at that point. =-)

My last post, Trials and Chocolate, ended with the promise to blog about Gold bars.

According to www.usmint.gov, here are some fun facts about gold:

  • Amount of present gold holdings: 147.3 million ounces.
  • The only gold removed has been very small quantities used to test the purity of gold during regularly scheduled audits. Except for these samples, no gold has been transferred to or from the Depository for many years.
  • The gold is held as an asset of the United States at book value of $42.22 per ounce.
  • Highest gold holdings this century: 649.6 million ounces (December 31, 1941).
  • Size of a standard gold bar: 7 inches x 3 and 5/8 inches x 1 and 3/4 inches.
  • Weight of a standard gold bar: approximately 400 ounces or 27.5 pounds.

Now for the spiritual side of gold.

We are in I Peter, and, if I say so myself, not moving very fast. No problem. It is good to meditate on God’s word. Here is verse 7 of the first chapter:

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

If I read that correctly, my faith has greater value than gold.

Why do we go through trials and tribulations?

So that our faith can be proven.

Gold is put through fire. It needs the fire to be purified.

By itself, the gold cannot remove any impurities.

This process of refining gold is complicated and multi-faceted. I don’t understand it either. But the basics are worth catching.

Gold can be found on all seven continents. Regardless of where it was mined, the gold coming out of the earth is not yet pure. It has a long way to go before it gets to your fiance’s finger.

Hence, the refining process. The fire of God.

gold refining

For us, that comes in the form of hard times, temptations, or struggles.

God is desiring that the impurities are removed.

When Jesus comes back, our lives will reflect His glory. Or they won’t reflect His glory.

We can choose to rely on God through the trial or we can try to stick it out ourselves. 

Think about that last sentence.

Who are we to say that we know better than the Almighty God?

Who am I to ignore His grace just for a moment of pleasure?

As much as it hurts or is uncomfortable, let the refining process happen.

I know that I am trying.

I want to be super shiny when Christ returns. I will reflect His character, praise, honor, and glory so much more that way!

At some point soon, you will probably see gold. It might be your wedding band. Perhaps a gold crayon. Maybe the sky will provide golden hues.

Let that color remind you of these two things:

  1. God is letting you go through the refining process to become pure.
  2. God will also never let you go through it alone.

gold bullion

 

Trials and Chocolate

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They come in all shapes and sizes.

Their names are different.

Some are strong; others are weak.

Minutes, hours, or days can be the duration.

Each person reacts differently to varying types.

To what am I referring?

questioning

Trial. Storms. Temptations. Sufferings. Tests. Hardships. What do you call them?

Peter gives some timely words for us.

Here is verse 6:

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” I Peter 1:6, NIV

Here are my thoughts on Peter’s words.

  1. Trials are diverse. Chocolate might be a weak spot for me but french fries will get my wife every time. We have different trials that affect us.
  2. Trials are distracting. If I am looking at the chocolate, I might miss the meal.
  3. Trials are dividing. I say chocolate is good. My wife likes potato chips better. We are divided on the topic of dessert.
  4. Trials are depleting. My money goes to buy more chocolate. Will I have enough for a regular dinner?
  5. Trials are depressing. What if I eat too much chocolate?

You get the point. And, by the way, chocolate is not that bad for you.

But why are we talking about trials? Didn’t we just get through a few verses of a fantastic inheritance set aside for us?

The answer is, “Yes!” We do have an inheritance. Read my last post to find out more on this topic.

Look at verse 6 again, from earlier. “…for a little while…”

We are not there yet.

We are in a trial period.

trial period

And we can celebrate in the suffering.

We can have joy in the journey.

We can smile in the storm.

We can be happy in the hardship.

We can rejoice (greatly!) during the rain.

Why? Because God is bigger than the trials. He reigns supreme over the hardships.

Out faith will come out like gold when all is done!

gold

And that will be the topic of my next post, Gold bars!

But for now, look to God if you are in a trial. He will see you through it.

And help yourself to a chocolate bar.

 

Lent, pt. 11

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I would like to start with a verse.

“6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” NIV I Peter 1:6-7 

I was at war today. In my brain.

Sometimes, I really dislike being at war. It is no fun getting shot at constantly.

According to the verse at the beginning, I should greatly rejoice. What!?!?

Lent, for me, has been tough. I have not done very well at getting up early to pray.

I am slightly behind on my devotional.

And the devil keeps shooting at me.

But Jesus will be revealed!!!

It might be tomorrow or next week. Perhaps next year. Maybe in a decade.

But he will be revealed…and that is enough to keep me moving forward.

Has Lent been difficult for you?

Are you stuck?

Do you feel like all this is even worth it?

I think it is. If gold could talk, it would scream at the pain of the refiner’s fire.

Then, when all is said and done, God uses lots of gold in heavenly construction.

refining gold

You and I will get to heaven but only after God has refined us.

So hang in there! God is not finished with you!